Backstop mechanism for bowling pin spotting machines



Sept. 2, 1952 R. E. RUNDELL 2,609,200

BACKSTOP MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 29, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 1 6. [52' 73 Z 5 J47 4 FIG.1 946V 4 2 ago 28 14 [66 RUPERT E. RUNDELL ATTORNEY Sept. 2, 1952 'R. E. RUNDELL BACKSTOP MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 29, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR f4 32 44 RUPERT E. RUNDELL A'ITORNEY R. E. RUNDELL Sept, 2, 1952 BACKSTOP MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed 001;. 29, 1946 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 \NN bbN @hN ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 2, 1952 UNITED STA-TESL PATENT QFFi-CE- BACKSTOP MECHANISM FOR'BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Rupert E; Rundell, Rockville Centre, N. Y., as signor to American Machine andFounolry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application October 29, 1946, Serial No. 706,472

This invention relates to'bowlingpin spotting machines and more particularlyto improvements in such machines effecting the more efiicient han;-

dling of .bowlingpins and bowling balls in order to remove pins and balls fromthe. pit of a bowling alley andmake them available for spotting on.

the alley and-return to the player, respectively.

The present inventionlconstitutes a solution of the problems of handlingbowling pins as little as possiblein efiecting their return to .pin spotting mechanism, and the return ofballs to the player: especially where there is a minimum 'of space. available for the movementofth'e balllrelative .to

theframe of 'the machine due to close positioning ofkickba-cks of two adjoining'alleyson whicha" common'ball return is provided for the .two alleys."

The mechanism constituting the present inven' tion is designed primarily-for use withbowling pin setting machines of the types shown in Rundell patent, No. 2,388,707, issued Novemb'erlB,

1945, for P owlingPin Setter, and co-pending' Broekhuysen"application, Serial No. 627,605, filed 3 November "9, 1945, for Bowling Pin Setting Ma chine, now Patent 2,559,274, granted July 3, 1951.

It is to be noted, however, that this mechanism is not to be considered limited to such'machines, as ,it mayfind use in other types of bowling pin setting machines:

According to the invention, in handling bowling pins'which are to be delivered to the spotting mechanism, there is provided a movable backstop;

which is raised vertically a distance greater than the maximum diameter of the largest ball used, so

that after each ball is thrown, deadwood or unwantedstanding pins which are swept from the alley-and the ball can be moved rearwardly 'beneath the backstop into the range of action of coasting-ball lifting, and pin distributing'mechanisms; v

Thebackstop is normally positioned with its lower edge closely-adjacent the bottom of the pit of thealley, so that all pins and balls fallingor rolling into the pit are prevented from passingbeneath the backstop until the latter is raised, whereuponthe'ball and pins can be moved by conveying mechanism onto the ball lift, and to the-pin distributing conveying mechanism, respectively. This makes it impossible for the relatively heavy balls to travel rearwardly past the backstopuntil the ball lift mechanism is'positioned to receive it, and thereby breakage of machine parts is prevented. v

The invention also takes into consideration the problem of handling bowling pinsa plurality of timesbeforeithey are forwarded to the conveying '14 Claims. (01. 273-43) mechanism which delivers them to th pin spotter, more rapidly .than heretofore possible thereby speeding up the game cycle of the machine. This is because as scenes the backstop is raised, all pins. in the pit are conveyed directly therebeneath in one general direction only and delivered to the pin distributing conveyor; Consequently, this results in the minimum of vpin handling during each pin distributing operation because it eliminates,v

raising, droppingand tumbling the pinsbeingassembled for delivery to the pin distributin mechanism and, therefore, there is less pin breakage and a material lessening of noiseand'clatter during each pin handling operation after the rolling of each ballof a frame.

It is an'object of my inventiontoprovidehabowling pin setting machine having improved, ball and pin. handlingmechanisms operating, in

conjunction with a vertically movable backstop which permits more satisfactory and efiicient distribution of pins, and return of the ball 'to..the

player with a minimum of lifting .of the pinsand.

substantial elimination of alterationsand modifi cations to the sides of thekickbacks.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved bowling pin settingtmachine having. a backstop which is movedv out of thepathv of, travel of balls and pins advancing therebeneath to ball and pin handlin anddistributingsmechanism.

It is a further object of the invention to provide.

mechanism for conveying bowling pins beneath an upwardly movable backstop, and delivering them without lifting and dropping to conveying mechanism of a pin distributing system for return,

to the pin spotter, which effects asmore rapid delivery of pins to the pin. spotter and aspeeding up of the game cycle ofthe machine.

It is an additional objectof the invention to provide abowlingpin spotting machine having avertically movable backstop extending transversely across the pit of a bowling alley which can be raised in order to allow fallen pins and, bowling balls to be conveyed longitudinall andrearwardly in the pit of the alleybeneath the raised backstop onto'a loalllift and pin distributing mechanism forreturntothe player and pin setting mechanism, respectively, after' which the backstop is returned to its normal operating-position.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists. in certain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter .fully describedand then se-t'iorth in" the. claims hereunto. appended.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and form a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, illustrating the rear end of a bowling alley and showing the mechanism constituting the invention arranged in operative relationship thereto;

Figure 1a is a view showing the arrangement of two closely positioned bowling pin spotting machines mounted on a common kickback, and the means for providing sufiicient room for a ball to pass between the machines and roll without obstruction along a common ball return runway mounted on a single kickback;

Figure 2 is an end view, taken on line 22 of Figure 1 with parts omitted and broken away to illustrate the invention; and

Figure 3 is a plan view with parts omitted showing the arrangement of the ball and pin removing mechanism constituting the invention.

With reference to the drawings, there is shown a bowling alley, indicated generally A, provided with the customary pit P located at the end of the pin supporting bed portion, and kickbacks S located at opposite sides of the pit. At the rear end of the pit is mounted a resilient cushion or backstop C which is employed primarily for the purpose of absorbing-the impact of balls rolling into pit P. A ball striking backstop C falls into the pit and its movement is stopped.

The preferred form of backstop is similar in construction to that disclosed in co-pending Hagquist application, Serial No. 654,591, filed March 15, 1946, for Bowling Pin Setting Machine. Backstop C is vertically movable from the position shown in Figure Lafter each ball of a frame is rolledin order that the ball and pins may be conveyed therebeneath to the ball separating and lifting, and pin distributing conveying mechanisms, respectively.

Following the delivery of balls and pins therebeneath, the backstop is lowered into the position shown in Figure l, preparatory to the rolling of the next ball of the frame. The mechanism for mounting and operating backstop C is described hereinafter.

' Pit P is provided with pin and ball receiving, assembling and conveying mechanism which effects the movement of balls and .pins received in thepit beneath backstop C, as mentioned hereinabove. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in this application there is provided a suitable conveyor mechanism which moves balls and pins rearWardly in the pit to ball lift L and pin distributin conveyor E, respectively. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, an endless conveyor l4 provided with transverse flights I5 is employed for this purpose. Conveyor M may be driven either continuously or intermittently. Conveyor I 4 runs upon a roller [6 mounted on shaft, l8. Attached to shaft I8 is a sprocket 20 on which runs a chain 22 driven by a sprocket 24 mounted on the shaft of a gear reduction motor 26. The opposite end of conveyor l4 runs upon an idler roller 28 secured to shaft 30. Shafts l8 and Marc supported in bearing brackets 32, 34, respectively, suitably mounted in pit P. Driven roller I6 is preferably located closely adjacent pin delivery position relative to conveyor E so thatv the upper lap of conveyor I4 can readily convey the ball and pins out of the pit P beneath elevated backstop C for delivery of a ball onto lift L, and pins into pin distributing conveyor E. The upper lap of con- .Which is secured to upright rib 40.

veyor l4 extending between rollers l6 and 28 preferably is supported by a plate 36 secured by brackets 38 to an upright rib 40 suitably mounted in pit P.

While conveyor 14 may be of a width extending completely across the width of pit P in order that all pins and balls falling into the pit can be carried by the upper lap to ball lift L and pin distributing convey-or system E, it is prefer-red that the width be less than the maximum width of the pit in order that a more positive control can be exerted on the pins in order to insure their proper delivery onto conveyor system E. This is because, as indicated in Figure 2, it would be relatively difficult otherwise to feed pins onto the substantially horizontal portion H of conveyor E for upward movement to the pin distributing and spotting mechanism. For this reason there is provided an auxiliary pit conveyor which delivers pins and a ball onto conveyor 14.. In the illustrated embodiment this conveyor is a pivoted upwardly movable plate or platform l2 attached to a hinge 42, one part of This arrangement enables platform [2 to be raised and lowered about the hinge at the proper time during the operation of the machine. When platform i2 is raised after the arrival of a ball and pins in the pit, it is evident that any pins and the ball located on platform l2 will be ejected therefrom onto the upper lap of conveyor M for removal from pit P.

Secured to platform l2 and preferably therebeneath and adjacent backstop C is a bracket 44 which carries a protruding stud 46 arranged to engage within a slot 48 of a bracket 50 secured to the bottom portion of backstop C.

As mentioned hereinabove, backstop C is mounted for movement into and out of the pit at proper times in order that a ball, or a ball and fallen pins may be conveyed therebeneath into their respective handling mechanisms for delivery to the player and pin supporting mechanism, respectively. The amount of upward movement of backstop C is never less than the maximum diameter of a ball in order that the latter may pass therebeneath without being obstructed.

It is to be noted that in most bowling alley installations, the depth of pit, or the distance from the surface of an alley to the bottom of the pit, is limited to about fourteen inches. American Bowling Congress rules require a minimum distance of nine and one-half inches from the surface of the alley to the pit mat. Hence, unless the pit is made deep-er, which is practically an impossibility in most existing structures because of beam structure of the floor and other like factors, it would be impossible for a ball and/or pins to move beneath the cushion 0r backstop of most existing alleys without major alterations and rebuilding. This problem has been solved by the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1, backstop C in its normal operative position is located with its lower edge closely adjacent the pin receiving platform l2 and the upper lap of conveyor [4. In this way the movement of the ball and pins beneath the backstop is controlled until at the proper time backstop C is raised and the ball and pins may pass therebeneath.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the preferred meansfor movably mounting backstop C consis-ts of two spaced pivotally supported frames designated generally 52 each having a pair of suitable bearings fastenedto the upper portion of the machine frame 6:8. "by means of a pinion :III fixedthereto which in Shaft 66 is oscillated turn is actuated by a rack "02 (Figure 1) secured to a rod I 3 pivotally connected to a lever '14'carrying a cam follower I6 running in :a suitable c-am track (not shown) in cam I8 mounted on the'main cam shaft 80 of the machine. Cam lever M is loosely mounted on shaft 4 82 supported in suitable bracketsc in frame 158. Back "I2 is maintained in engagement with :pim'on 10 by meansof flanged roll-er 84'supported by a bracket 86 loosely mountedon shaft 66. 1

- From the above it followsthat whenever cam shaft :80 is set into rotation during the operation of the machine, Jpulley' =64 is operated to raise backstop C in frames 52 upwardly and clear of the path of travel of a ball and any pins therebenea'th in order that a ball maybe properly l- =cated on lift L whichis then lifted to separate the "ball from any :pins which have not already been advanced byfiights 1-5 on conveyor 14 onto conveyor EL (am 1 8 is provided with asuitable dwell to allowethis operation to vtake place, and during the continued rotation of shaft FBI], at the proper time, backstop 1C is lowered into the position shown in Figure 1 awaiting the rolling of the next ballot the game;

' Gam shaft BII has secured thereto-a gear 88 which engages with and is driven by agear 9i! loosely'm'ounted on a sleeve 9-2 :(Eigure l2). 4 This sleeve is preferably an integral part ofa sprocket 94 secured to a continuously :dr-i-ven-ishaftflii. Sprocket 94 is driven by a chain illl runningzoh a sprocket (not shown) on the .main drive-shaft of the machine (not shown). The hub of ar 90 is provided with a conventionalone-devolution clutch L00 of the well known Bliss type or equivalent, the operating member 102 (Figure '1') of which is adapted to enga e an actuating lug I04 of a lever I06 -pivotally connected to armature I98 of a solenoid I I0. to an electric control box I I2 which contains the electric control mechanism of the machine. The control mechanism is similar in construction and operation to that disclosed in theflabove mentioned co-pe'nding Broekhuysen application? Since this specific mechanism forms no part of the present invention, further disclosure and showing thereof is omitted in the interestbf brevity.

As a-bowling ball is thrown down the alley, it breaks a beam ofiight issuing from a suitable lightsource coacting with a photoelectric cell I14 in a circuit which controls the operationofsole- :nold III). As showninl igure 1, Wires! I'S I'IB constitutinga part of the circuit in'which-photoelectric cell I I4 is connected, extend into control box II2 suitably attached to the frame of the machine. When the beam of light is broken, by means of suitable conventional operating mechanism, an electric contact (not shown) located in control box H2 is closed and solenoid II!) is energized pulling in armature I08 which in turn removes lug I04 from contact with and out of the path of actuating member I02 resulting'in throwing in clutch I00 and the coupling of driv- This solenoid is connected 6 ing sprocket :94 to gear 9.0 which in turn :drives gear :88. r

I In order to insure that backstop 0 :shall at :all times assume a substantially vertical position similar to that indicated in Figure '1, frames 52 are urged forwardly by springs I (seeFigure 3).

Springs I20 preferably are mounted in recesses I2I formed' in kickbacks S. The forward end .of each of the springs bears against a depending angle piece I zz secured to thebottomendof one of the frames 52; the rear ends of thespringsbear against the rear portions I23 of the recesses in kickbacks S. i

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the ball and pins in pit P are :moved rearwardly beneath the raised backstop C in a generally horizontal plane. Since it is highly desirable that the ball 'be properly positioned for removalfrom thepit of the alley and that all pins be separated therefrom for delivery into the pin distributing conveyor E, the ball lift or cradle 'L (see Figure l) is locatedin. a generally horizontal plane and is substantially co-planar with the top lap of conveyor 1 4 which'moves the ball and pins rearwardlyout of pit P; Due to this arrangement, the :ball is always positively delivered upon and located between cross bars I 3fl'of balllift cradle L. If any pins 'areintfiiont of a ball, as it moves onto bars I 39, such pins willslide over rods or bars ltd-in their movement to conveyortE. If :any :pins" tend to dodge on bars I they will drop therefrom onto conveyor I 4' 'asiba'll lift is :raised andbe fedtherebyonto conveyor E." f Ball lift L consists of two end brackets 124 (Figure 3) carrying'cam followers I26 (Figure '1) running in substantially vertically positioned side guides i223. I Brackets I24 are held-together by :two cross rods :I3il spaced apart a distanceless :tha-nthemaximum diameter of aballand greater than thexmaximum diameter of a pin, so that the ball will be supported by cradle .L, yet pins will drop-downwardly between rods I39 as mentioned hereinabove. Brackets I24 are also. supported by slide' shoes 32 whichirun in lsideuguides I28 mounted in recessed; portions of kickbacks S. Guides 1218 extend upwardly above the to edges of kickbacks :S and are secured to frame members I34 by means of suitable strips I31; Cables 113.6 employed for the purpose of raising "and lowering'ball cradle L are fastened to the top of :each of slide shoes I32. Each :of the cables I36is :guidedover an idler pulley I38 and the freeaend thereof issecured to apulley I46. Pulleys I 4B are lruountedadjacent theizends of shaft I42 I jour- 'nal-ledin suitable bearings secured to the upper portionofframefifl; Shaft! M-ispscillated at the proper ti-rne by means of av -pinion I44 which meshes with an actuating rack I-46; :atta;ched ;to -rod=,l-4l r pivotally comiected. tocam': lever I148 loosely mounted on shaft 62,, Acam follower: I50 on lever I48 engages with a suitable cam track (notshown) in cam I8 mounted on main cam shaft at. Back is maintained in meshing-en; gagement with pinion I44 by means of a flanged roller I52 loosely supported in bracket I 54 loosely mounted on shaft I42. f I

Since it is possible that when several pins and a ball are being moved byconveyor I4 and flights l 5 thereof rearwardly beneath elevated backstop C, the ball might be moved off cradle L, a stop I18 is'mounted above and adjacent the point where conveyor I4 discharges pins into the-path oftravel ofiiig'hts I68 of conveyor E. Stop I18 is n01'mal1y sopositioned'with respect to-the upper lap of-v conveyor I4 that any pins being moved ball on cradle L between rods I30.

towards conveyor E can travel therebeneath into the range of action of flights I68 of conveyor E. Stop I18 is also so located with respect to rods I30 and cradle L that a ball must come to rest in proper position between rods I30 preparatory to being lifted out of the pit of the machine. This arrangement insures that pins positioned in front of the ball will be moved by flights I of conveyor I4 into the range of action of the flights I68 for elevation to pin distributing position in the machine without the possibility of jams and clogging of the machine.

At the rear of the space occupied by ball cradle L is mounted a transverse plate I56 which extends the width of the machine and is held between two uprights I58 forming a part of the rear frame of the machine. Spaced from plate I56 and rearwardly thereof is a plate I60 of similar shape extending transversely of the width of the machine and also attached to the rear frame of the machine. Plates I56, I60 enclose the pin distributing elevator E which is driven in proper timed relation by a shaft I62 (Figure 3) through a clutch I64 from a suitable source of power (not shown). Conveyor E is similar in construction and operation to that shown in Rundell patent, No. 2,388,707 and the co-pending Broekhuysen application, referred to hereinabove.

Pin elevating conveyor E'preferably consists of a pair of spaced endless chains I66 supported on sprockets mounted in suitable brackets (as shown in Figures 2 and 3). A plurality of flights I68 mounted at spaced positions on chains I66 are operative to carry pins in succession from the pin.- receiving station adjacent the end of conveyor I4 upwardly to a rectifying and aligning mechanism, designated generally M. The latter is provided with an endless conveyor I65, which is driven in proper timed relation from a suitable source of power (not shown). Mechanism M delivers pins, to a loading station for delivery to pin setting mechanism (not shown). Since this mechanism forms no specific part of the present invention and may be the same in construction and operation as that shown in the above referred to Rundell and Broekhuysen patents, further description and disclosure thereof is deemed unnecessary.

' Plate I56 is provided with an opening 110 (Figures 1 and 2) substantially as wide as conveyor I4. A stopor gate I 12 slidably supported in bracket I14 (Figure 3) is normally so positioned as to prevent movement of a ball from cradle L onto. conveyor E, although any pins located in front of a ball can be; moved through the space beneath ball locating stop I18 onto conveyor E. Fastened to thelower portion of gate I12 arejtwo angle brackets I16 (Figure 1) which support cross rod I18, which locate and center a bowling Secured to gate I12 and preferably at the top thereof is an angle bracket I80 to the ends of which are fastened cables I82, each of which is guided over an idler pulley I84 (Figure 3) loosely mounted on a stud supported in a bracket I86. One bracket I86 isv secured to plate I56; the other is mounted ir'r-a suitable recess in one of the kickbacks S. The freeends of cables I82 are attached to weights I88 (Figure 2) slidably supported in guides I 90. One of the guides I90 is secured to plate I 56 the other is mounted in a suitable recess in one ofthe kickbacks S. Gate I12 normally is held down at the position shown in Figure 1 against the opposing force of weights I88 by an arm I92 8 secured to one of the slide shoes I32 and resting on bracket I80.

Bowling balls are delivered by ball lift L forwardly onto transverse guides I94, I96 which preferably are downwardly inclined towards a point of ejection at one side of the machine for delivery of a ball through a suitable opening in the frame of the machine onto'a conventional ball return runway R provided for that purpose. As shown in Figures 1 and 2', movement of a ball along guides I94, I96 is expedited by a belt I98 which engages the ball on the guides and propels it therealong out of the machine and onto the ball return runway R.

,In a large number of alley installations where space is at a premium, a single kickback is used between two alleys. Two closely spaced kickbacks are also sometimes used with these arrangements. It is evident that more alleys can be located in a given space than when specifications normally considered standard, requiring two kickbacks for each alley are followed. Very often a common ball return runway is mounted on a single kickback in order to effect the delivery of balls back to the playing heads of the two alleys served thereby. In such cases where two bowling pin setting machines are mounted on side by side alleys and where the side frames of the machines are secured to the common kickback there is insufficient space provided for the use of a common ball return runway which can receive balls ejected from the two machines for delivery therebetween along the runway and back to the playing heads of the alleys. The prescribed width of a kickback according to American Bowling Congress specifications is two and three-fourths inches which means that when two bowling pin setting machines are mounted on a common kickback, the side frames are spaced a distance apart less than the maximum allowed diameter of a standard ten pin bowling ball which is about eight and flve-eighths inches.

Therefore, because the machine disclosed is free of guide cables and mechanism for elevating and handling balls and pins in front of backstop C, it is possible to spread apart, or form the side frame members of the two machines adjacent the common runway R with passage forming sections, such as curved portions or suitable recesses which cooperate with the ball return runway R and provide a space greater than the maximum diameter of a bowling ball so that the latter may move therebetween along runway R and be delivered to the playing heads of the two alleys served by the common runway mounted on the common kickback S.

One way of providing a suitable passage for a ball is shown in Figure 1A. Two frame members I95, I representing the side frames of two bowling pin setting machines mounted on a single kickback S support a common ball return runway R. Each frame-member I95, I95 is provided with a curved portionor recess I91, I91 which forms a generallycircular passage I99.of greater diameter than the maximum diameter of any ball which will roll along runway R back to a bowler at the playing heads of the two alleys. While only two side frames I95, I95 have been shown, it is to be understood that all other side frame members forward of frame. members I95, I95 are provided with similar recesses which allow the unobstructed movement of balls along runway R and back to the bowlers on the two alleys.

In the operation of the machine, after a ball has arrived at the pit and unwanted pins have been swept from the alley into the pit, backstop C is raised between the kickbacks by means of 'the mechanism described hereinaboveand at the same time platform I! is raised through the stud 45-slot 68 connections described hereinabove. Backstop C and platform I2 assume substantially the positions shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. This movement of platform I2 causes the bowling ball and any pins which may have rested on platform I2 to slide onto moving. conveyor I4 whence they are moved rearwardly beneath raised backstop C and onto cradle L and to conveyor E, respectively, by cross strips or flights I5 on conveyor I4- 1 'As' the ball and pins are moved toward opening IHlby conveyor I4 and flights I5 thereof, the bowling ball is arrested and located between cross rods I of ball cradle L by cross bar I18.

.Any pins which may precede the bowling ball go through that part of port I10 which is beneath gate I12 and fall onto elevator E and are lifted by flights I68 to conveyor M.

After the bowling ball comes to rest, the continued rotation of cam shaft 89 through the linkage described above, raises the ball cradle L with the bowling ball and upon reaching its uppermost position above backstop C, cradle Lis tilted by lug I9I attached to guide E28 and the cradle assumes a position as shown in dotted outline gate and secured to plate I 55. Any bowling pins previously held back by the presence of the bowling ball and ball cradle L are now advanced by the moving conveyor I4 andpass through port I10 ontoelevator E where they are lifted toconveyor M. In order to properly guide the bowling pins. through port. I'I'il', a plurality of'guide fingers 262" are provided; Continued rotation of main cam shaft 80 returns the'ball cradle'L and the backstop C to their original positions (as shown in Figured fat the end ofeach operating cycle.

The invention above described may be varied in'constr-uction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is butone ofmany possible con- ;crete embodiments of the same, It isnot, therefore, to be; restricted to the precise detailsof the structure shown and described.

What Iclaim'is: i

1'. In a bowling pin setting. machine associated with an alley having. a pit at oneendx thereof. a backstop located in said. pit, mechanism for conveying a ball and pins received in said pit toward said: backstop, supports: mounting said backstop withits lower edge located above said conveying mechanism a distance less. than the diameter of a bowling ball for preventing" the movementof a ball therepast, and means for moving said backstop vertically out of the path of travel of said ball and pins=, whereby said ball and said pins may be movedunrestrictedly beneath said liftedbackstop. 1 H V 2 In a bowling pin setting. machine associated with an alley having. a pit at one end thereof, a backstop located insaid pit, mechanism for conveying a ball and. pins received in said pit towards said backstop, supports mounting said backstop with its lower edge located above said conveying mechanism a distance less than the diameter of a bowling ball for preventing the movement of a ball therepast, and means responsive to the rolling of a ball and the arrival of said ball in said pit in front of said backstop for movingsaid backstop vertically in a plane substantially at right angles to the path of movement of a ball along said alley out of the path of travel of said ball and pins, whereby said ball and said pins may be moved unrestrictedly beneath said lifted backstop.

3-. In a bowling. pin setting machine for use onanalley having-a pit at one end thereof, a backstop having. a transversely extending, substantially unbroken bottom edge located in said pit, mechanism mounted beneath said bottom edge of said backstop and extending rearwardly thereof for conveying balls and pins received in said pit towards said backstop, means supporting said backstop with said bottom edge normally in a position spaced from said mechanism a distance less than the diameter of a bowling ball thereby preventing. the passage ofa bowling ball therepast, means for raising said backstop out of said pit-and out of the path of movement of said ball and pins thereb'e'neath, ball guide means, a ball lift at the rear of said backstop, means locating said ball lift in ball receiving position when said backstop is located inposition to prevent the passage of a ball therepast, means operative in response to the rolling of a ball and its arrival in-saidi pit for actuating said means for raising said backstop out of said pit to a raised position, whereby saidmechanism can-move said ball beneath said raised backstop to said lift, and means for moving saidlift upwardly with a ball to deliversai'd ball-to said guide means forejection from said machine.

4. In a bowlingpin setting machine for use with an alley having a pit at one end thereof, a backstop having an unbroken substantially vertical ball striking surface located in and extending transversely across said pit and prevent' ing movement of balls and pins therepast, means mounting said backstop for reciprocatory substantially vertical movement into and out of said pit; mechanism for conveying balls and pins received in said pit towards said backstop, means operative in response to the rolling of a ball and the arrival thereof in said pit in front of said backstop for moving said backstop upwardly relative to said pit to provide room for the passage of said ball and pins therebeneath, a ball lift located atth'e' rear of said backstop, means fordelivering a ball beneath said raised backstop onto said lift, a ball return device mounted above said backstop, means for moving said lift up wardlyto a point of discharge and means at said point of discharge engaged by said lift for turm ing said lift to discharge said ball therefrom into said device;

5. In a bowling pin. setting machine for use with an alley having a pit at one end thereof, a backstop located in said pit and normally preventing the movement of bowling balls and pins pit to allow sai d ball and fallen pins to passtherebeneath, a ball lift cradle located at the rear of said backstop, a pin elevating conveyor located at the rear of said backstop, positively actuated mechanism for moving a ball and all fallen pins beneath said raised backstop onto said lift cradle and said conveyor, respectively, and means for moving said lift cradle upwardly in a path adjacent the rear of said backstop, and ball supporting and guiding means located above and in front of said backstop in position to receive a ball discharged from said lift cradle onto said ball supporting and guiding means for ejection from said machine.

6. In a bowling pin setting machine, a backstop support located adjacent the end of a bowling alley, said backstop support comprising spaced guides, a backstop mounted for substantially vertical movement in said guide from a lowered operative position preventing all movement of pins and balls therepast to a raised inoperative position permitting movement of said pins and balls thereunder, pin and ball handling devices located at the rear of said backstop, and means for moving said backstop substantially vertically upwardly in said guides to said raised position in response to the rollingof each ball of a frame and the arrival of the bal1 in said pit to form a passage for said ball and fallen pins to pass therebeneath into the range of action of said devices. '7. In a bowling pin setting machine, a backstop support located in the pit of a bowling alley adjacent the end of the alley, said backstop support comprising spaced guides, a backstop normally preventing the movement of a bowling ball rearwardly thereof mounted for substantially vertical movement in said guides, said backstop including a frame, a resilient ball impact receiving member mounted in said frame and positioned to be struck by a ball rolled along said alley and into said pit to stop the movement of said ball, a ball lifting device at the rear of said backstop, a pin conveyor at the rear of said backstop, and means for moving said backstop substantially vertically upwardly in said guides to provide space for the ball and pins to pass therebeneath to said device and said conveyor. 8. In a bowling pin setting machine associated with a bowling alley having a pin supporting bed and a pit, a transverse backstop having an unbroken bottom edge mounted in said pit normally preventing the movement of pins and balls therepast and spaced longitudinally from said bed, ball and pin distributing means located in said pit at'the rear of said backstop, a device in said pit for conveying pins and bowling balls towards said backstop, and actuating means for raising said backstop, mechanism operative in response to the arrival of a ball on said device in said pit in front of said backstop for operating said actuating means to raise said backstop above said device a distance greater than the diameter of said ball, thereby providing a passage for said balland pins beneath said backstop, and means for actuating said device to move said ball and pins through said passage to said distributing means.

9. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pin supporting bed and a pit adjacent said bed, a backstop, said backstop having a transversely extending substantially unbroken bottom edge, a conveying device mounted in said pit for conveying a ball and pins received in said pit towards said backstop, means normally positioning said backstop with said bottom edge located above said device a distance less than the diameter of a bowling ball to prevent all movement of balls therebeneath, means for guiding pins and balls onto said device, means operative in response to the rolling of a ball into said pit in front of said backstop for raising. said backstop a distance greater than the diameter of a bowling ball, and means for operating said device to move pins and balls beneath said raised backstop.

10. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pin supporting bed and a pit adjacent said bed, a backstop, said backstop having a transversely extending substantially unbroken bottom edge, means normally locating said backstop in said pit in position to prevent the movement of balls and pins therebeneath, a conveyor in said pit for conveying a ball and pins received in said pit towards said backstop, mechanism for raising and lowering said backstop including means operative in response to a ball rolling into said pit for raising said backstop above said conveyor a distance greater than the diameter of said bowling ball, and means for operating said conveyor when said backstop is raised to move pins and balls beneath said backstop.

11. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pin supporting bed and a pit adjacent said bed, a conveyor in said pit, a backstop, said backstop having a transversely extending substantially unbroken bottom edge, means normally locating said backstop in said pit and with said bottom edge spaced above said conveyor a distance less than the diameter of a ball in position to prevent the movement of a ball therebeneath, mechanism for raising and lowering said backstop including means operative in response to a ball rolling into said pit for raising said backstop above said conveyor a distance greater than the diameter of said bowling ball, and means for operating said conveyor when said backstop in raised to move pins and balls beneath -said backstop, and an auxiliary conveyor in said pit positioned to deliver pins andballs into the range of action of said first-named conveyor.

12. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pin supporting bed and a pit adjacent said bed, a backstop having a transversely extending unbroken bottom edge, a conveyor in said pit for conveying a ball and pins in said pit towards said backstop, means normally locating said backstop in said pit with said unbroken bottom edge positioned to prevent the movement of a ball and pins beneath said backstop, a ball lift at the rear of said backstop, a pin distributin conveyor located rearwardly of said lift, mechanism operative in response to the rolling of a ball into said pit for raising said backstop' to provide space therebeneath for movement of said ball thereunder, means for operatingsaid first-named conveyor to move pins and the ball beneath said raised backstop, means for delivering the ball onto said lift and said pins to said distributing conveyor, means for raising said lift to separate said ball from said pins and deliver said ball to a point of discharge, a ball return device mounted above and forwardly of said backstop, and means operative at said point of discharge for effecting the discharge of a ball on said lift forwardly onto said device.

l 13. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pin supporting bed and a pit adjacent the end of said bed, a main conveyor located in said pit with its operative lap extending longitudinally in said pit, an auxiliary conveyor mounted in'said pit and having a pin and ball supporting surface substantially coplanar with said lap of said main conveyor, means mounting said auxiliary conveyor to deliver a ball and pins onto said main conveyor, a vertically movable transversely extending backstop mounted at the rear of said pit, means normally supporting said backstop in said pit above said main conveyor in a position to prevent movement of balls and pins therebeneath, mechanism operative in response to a ball rolling into said pit in front of said backstop for raising said backstop to provide space for the movement of said ball and pins beneath said raised backstop, a pin distributing conveyor located at the rear of said backstop, said main conveyor being constructed and arranged to deliver pins to said distributing conveyor, means responsive to the raising of said backstop for operating said auxiliary conveyor to deliver pins and a ball lying thereon onto said main conveyor, and means for operating said main conveyor to deliver said ball and pins beneath said raised backstop and to said distributing conveyor.

14. In a bowling pin spotting machine associated with a bowling alley having a pit at one end, a backstop support located adjacent said pit end of said alley and spaced from said end of said alley, said backstop support including spaced substantially vertical guides, a backstop mounted in said guides for substantially vertical movement, a pin and ball receiving and conveying surface in said pit extending between said backstop and said end of said alley, means normally 1ocating said backstop in said pit at a ball stopping position adjacent the bottom of said guides and 14 at a distance from said surface preventing all movement of a ball and pins beneath said backstop, mechanism for moving said backstop to an elevated position above said surface to provide room for the movement of a ball and pins therebeneath, supports mounting said surface in position to guide a ball and pins toward said back- 7 stop and beneath said backstop when said backstop is located at said elevated position, a stop adjacent the bottom of said guides, resilient means normally urging said backstop support forwardly against said stop and maintaining said support against substantial rearward movement when struck by a ball, and means for actuating said mechanism to move said backstop substantially vertically upwardly in said guides from said ball stopping position to said elevated position to allow said ball and pins in said pit to move from said surface in a substantially horizontal direction beneath said raised backstop.

RUPERT E. RUNDELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 809,245 Brinkmeyer Jan. 2, 1906 1,190,645 Hedenskoog July 11, 1916 1,190,650 Hedenskoog July 11, 1916 1,590,124: Roble June 22, 1926 1,712,186 White May '7, 1929 2,341,476 Parra et a1 Feb. 8, 1944 2,389,643 Schmidt Nov. 27, 1945 

